American eel

The American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) is a fascinating species with a complex life history and migration. Young eels hatch from eggs in the Sargasso Sea and after a period of time enter freshwater lakes and streams where they will spend the remainder of their life until they are ready to return to the Sargasso Sea and spawn.

The survival of American eels is influenced by the following threats: habitat alteration, dams and turbines, fishery harvest, changes to ocean conditions related to climate change, contaminants and parasites. The decline of the American eel population may not only affect humans, but a variety of birds, fish and mammals as the American eel plays an important role in Canada’s aquatic biodiversity.

In Mi’kmaq, eels are known as "katew" (pronounced "gadoo"). They are an important food source for Indigenous Peoples, and have traditionally been used as medicine, as well as for spiritual and ceremonial purposes for thousands of years.